Parasiticides Used in Reptiles
Drug | Dosage | Parasite | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Endoparasiticides | |||
Fenbendazole | 25–100 mg/kg, PO, q 14 d for up to 4 treatments 50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3–5 d | Roundworms, Hexamita | Can cause leukopenia |
Ivermectin | 200 mcg/kg, PO, IM, SC, repeat after 14 d | Ectoparasitic mites and ticks; nematodes | Not in chelonians; care in skinks and indigo snakes |
Levamisole | 5–10 mg/kg, SC, intracoelomic, repeat after 14 d | Lungworms and other nematodes | Snakes, lizards, care in tortoises (use 5 mg/kg) |
Mebendazole | 20–25 mg/kg, PO, repeat after 14 d | Strongyles and ascarids | |
Metronidazole | 20–40 mg/kg, PO, q 1–2 d for 2–5 treatments | Protozoa | |
Oxfendazole | 25 mg/kg, PO, once | Nematodes | |
Paromomycin | Most species: 35–100 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 28 d Snakes: 100 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 7 d, then twice weekly for 3 mo Gila monsters: 300–360 mg/kg, PO, q 2 d for 14 d Bearded dragons: 100 mg/kg q 24 h for 7 d; then twice/weekly for 6 wk | Amoebas, cryptosporidia | Does not eliminate cryptosporidia |
Ponazuril | Bearded dragons: 30 mg/kg, PO, q 2 d for 2 treatments | Coccidiosis | |
Praziquantel | 8 mg/kg, PO, SC, IM; repeat after 14 d and 28 d | Tapeworms, flukes | |
Pyrantel | Most species: 5 mg/kg, PO, repeat in 14 d Chameleons: 5–10 mg/kg, PO, q 14 d Sea turtles: 25–50 mg/kg, PO, q 3 d for 3 treatments | Nematodes Spirorchidiasis | |
Spiramycin | 160 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 10 d, then twice weekly for 3 mo | Snakes with cryptosporidiosis | May decrease clinical signs but does not clear infection |
Toltrazuril | 5–15 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 3–30 d 15 mg/kg, q 48 h for 10 d; discontinue for 2 wk; repeat q 48 h for 10 d, and repeat as necessary | Bearded dragons, coccidiosis Tortoises, intranuclear coccidiosis | Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic data lacking |
Trimethoprim-sulfa | 30 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 10–28 d | Coccidia | |
Ectoparasiticides | |||
Dichlorvos-impregnated strip | 6-mm (0.25-inch) strip/0.3 m3 (10 ft3) in cage for 3 h, q 2 d for 2–4 wk | Ectoparasites, especially mites | Toxic, vivarium should be emptied; keep out of direct contact of animals |
Fipronil | Topical spray or wipe on, then wash off in 5 min, q 7–10 d | Mites and ticks, beware of reactions to alcohol carrier, needs safety evaluation | |
Ivermectin (10 mg/mL) | Topical spray, 5–10 mg/L water, q 3–5 d for up to 28 d | Mites and ticks | Should not be used in chelonians; use care in skinks and indigo snakes |
Permethrin (10%) | Topical spray for animal and environment | Mites and ticks, FDA-approved | Licensed product available for reptiles in the US |